Carton



Sept. 14, 1965 p, FANTER ETAL 3,206,099

CARTON 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 17, 1964 U I INVENTORS 308 Edward Fanfer W/ll/am 5. Pepp/er BY KARL lb. FLOCKS ATTORNEY p 1965 E. P. FANTER ETAL 06,0 9

CARTON Filed Aug. 17, 1964 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Q 212 Q i 220 E ii Q6 3/ 4 200 INVENTORS Edward P Fan/er M'l/iam 3 Pepp/er Ka RL (llflioc as ATTORNEY United States Patent i 3,286,899 CARTGN Edward P. Fanter, imhurst, and William S. Treppler, Qhappaqua, N31, assignors to Diamond international Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Filed Aug. 17, 1964, Ser. No. 389,887 4 Claims. (Cl. 229-39) This invention relates generally to ice cream cartons, and more particularly to an improved, leak-proof, reclosable carton which can be readily erected and filled on conventional closing and filling machinery.

Primary objects of the present invention are to provide a paperboard carton which utilizes a minimum amount of material; which can be erected and filled on conventional apparatus; in which a novel end closure assembly minimizes leakage problems as well as providing means whereby the carton can be opened at its ends with a minimum of soiling of an individuals hands; which facilitates reclosure at the ends of the carton; and which includes means whereby the carton can he alternately open from the top or ends to facilitate access to the contents thereof.

Other and more specific objects will become apparent from a consideration of the following description taken together with the drawings forming a part thereof in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a blank for producing the novel carton of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of one end of a carton assembled from the blank of FIG. 1, showing the end closure flaps open;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the inner sealing flaps of the assembled carton of FIG. 2 disposed in overlying relationship;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the end closure assembly substantially in its finally closed position, and further showing by means of phantom lines the manner in which the lid of the carton may be moved to an open position for gaining access to the contents of the carton;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary plan view of another embodiment of a carton blank, similar to a lower portion of FIG. 1 and showing alternate inner closure flaps;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 2 and showing the end closure flaps of the carton produced from the blank of FIG. 5 in an open condition;

FIG. 7 is an end elevation of the carton of FIG. 6 showing the inner sealing flaps in overlying relation;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary plan view of two carton blanks of the character shown in FIG. 1, and illustrating the layout thereof to afford a minimum expenditure of paperboard material; and

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8 and showing the layout for the production or" the carton blanks of FIG. 5.

Referring to the drawings in detail, and first considering FIGS. 14 and 8, the blank produced from paperboard, for example, is indicated generally at 18 in FIG. 1 and comprises, in order, a rectangular front wall 12, bottom wall panel 14, a rear wall panel 16, a top wall panel 18 and a glue-flap panel 20. The panels 122tl are respectively connected to adjacent panels by means mutually parallel, scored hinge or fold lines 22, 24, 26 and 28. The front wall panel 12 has formed in the lateral free side margin thereof an elongated notched portion 30; the function of which will subsequently be described in detail. The upper dges of the panels 12-18 are defined by a suitably scored linear fold line 32, and the lower margin of these panels is defined by a suitably scored fold or hinge line 34. Hingedly connected to opposite ends of the front wall panel 12 at the fold lines 32 and 34 are substantially rectangular first, outer end closure flaps 36 and 38 which are of an identical configuration. The flaps 36 and 38 are formed with a free side margin 4-8 and 42, respectively, parallel to free side margins 44 and 46 formed by a cut line in alignment with line 22. The flaps 36 and 38 include end margins 48 and 58, respectively. Extending transversely between the margins 48, 44 and 42, 46 of the respective flaps 36 and 38 are transverse, segmental fold line portions 52, 54, and 56, 58 which are interrupted by arcuate cut lines 68 and 62, respectively, which form a lock-slot.

l-lingedly connected to upper and lower ends of the rear wall panel 16 of the hinge or fold lines 32 and 34 are second, outer end closure flaps 64 and 66 which include at opposite sides thereof formed by mutually parallel cut lines free side margins 68, 70 and 72, 74. The flaps 64 and 66 have formed thereon male lock nose portions 76 and 78 which respectively include a lock notch 80 and 82. The lock nose portions 76 and 78 will be respectively received Within the arcuate slots 60 and 62, respectively, at the notch portions 88 and 82 respectively engaging the terminal end of the segmental fold lines 52 and 56 at their intersection with the cut lines 60 and 62, respectively.

The bottom wall panel 14 has hingedly connected with respective upper and lower ends thereof at the hinge or fold lines 32 and 3d first inner closure flaps 84 and 86, respectively, which include free side margins 88, form-ed by cut lines forming the side margins 44 and 68 of the adjacent flaps 36 and 64, and side margins 92, 94 formed by cut lines forming the free margins of the adjacent flaps 38 and 66, respectively. The outer ends of the flaps 84 and 86 include projecting tab portions 56 and 98 extending from the side margins 83 and 92 to an angular margin portion 188, 102 extending to a substantially right angled shoulder or abutment portion 104 and 106 formed by a free margin 188 and 110 parallel to the fold lines 32 and 34, respectively. The width or distance between the fold line 32 and margin 168 indicated at A and the same distance between the fold line 34 and margin 110 is substantially equal to one-half the overall width or height of the front and rear wall panels 12 and 16.

The top wall panel 18 has connected to respective upper and lower ends thereof at the fold or hinge lines 32 and 3 second inner end flaps 112 and 114, respectively, which include at one side adjacent the flaps 64 and 66 free margins 116 and 118, respectively formed by the cut lines forming the margins 78 and 74 of the adjacent panel flaps 64 and 66. The flaps 112 and 114 respectively include tab portions 129 and 122 terminating in a margin portion 124 and 126 intersecting the free margin 128 and 138 respectively parallel to the fold lines 32, 34 and forming with the margin portions 124 and 126, respectively, abutment shoulder portions 132 and 134.

The flaps 112 and 114 respectively include relieved or arcuate margins 136 and 1358 extending from the terminal ends of the fold line 28 and intersecting the margins 128 and 130, respectively. The relieved or arcuate cut lines 136 and 138, as will subsequently be described in detail with respect to the assembled carton, permit the top wall panel 18 in conjunction with the glue flap panel 20 to be pivoted along the hinge or fold lines 26 gaining ready access to the carton contents.

The glue flap panel 28 includes at respective upper and lower ends thereof inwardly angled margin portions 148 and 142 terminating in a free margin 144 of the glue flap panel. The glue flap panel 20 has provided on the inner surface thereof, i.e., that seen in FIG. 1, a suitable adhesive or mastic material as indicated at 146. If desired, glue flap panel 20 may be provided with a tear strip 148 as indicated by phanton lines in FIG. 1.

3 When the tear strip 148 is used, adhesive is only applied to the terminal strip.

The distance between the margins 128 and 130 and the respective fold lines 32 and 34 as indicated at B is equal to substantially one-half of the overall width or height of the front and rear panels 12 and 16.

Considering FIG. 2, the carton produced from the blank of FIG. 1 is assembled as partially shown in FIG. 2, by orienting the front and rear wall panels 12 and 16 in right angular relationship to the bottom and top wall panels 14 and 18, the inner sunface of the glue flap panel 20 being secured to the outer surface of the front wall panel 12. The elongated notch 30, which will form the upper edge of the front wall panel 12 in the assembled carton, accommodates the angular margins 14% and 142 of the glue fiap panel 28 therein to substantially orient a glue flap panel into its assembled relationship with respect to the front wall panel 12.

Considering FIG. 3, the inner closure flaps $6 and 114 are pivoted into overlying relationship with the tab portions 93 and 122, respectively, overlying the outer surface of the flaps 114 and 86. The shoulder portions 166 and 134 will. abuttingly engage and square the upper and lower margins of the bottom and top panels into parallel relationship.

Additionally, with respect to opening the carton, to gain access to the contents thereof from the end of the carton, when the outer closure flaps 38 and 66 are in the condition shown in FIG. 3, by pulling upwardly on the tab portion 98 or 122, will result in the pulling apart of the inner closure flaps 86 and 114 regardless of which tab portion, i.e., 98 or 122, is being pulled outwardly.

Next considering FIG. 4, the outer closure flap 38 is folded inwardly, and the portion thereof formed by the segmental fold lines 56 and 58 are folded slightly out of the plane of the flap 38 to provide ready entry of the lock nose portion '78 in the slot formed by the cut line 62. The notch portion 82, it will be observed, will engage at the lower end of the segmental fold 56 when the outer closure flaps 38 and 66 are disposed in substantially planar relationship.

When the end closures at the opposite ends of the carton are assembled in the manner just described, access may be had to the contents of the carton by disengaging the outer closure flaps 38, 66 or 36, 64 and by pulling on one of the tab portions 96, 129 or 28, 122, and ice cream can be dipped or scooped from the carton.

Additionally, the adhesive 146 on the inner surface of the lock panel 20 will permit separation of this panel from the outer surface of the front wall panel 12. Further, in the event the tear strip 148 is provided on the panel 20, this tear strip can be readily removed to disengage the panel 20 from the front wall panel 12. The arcuate or relieved margins 136, 138 will permit ready pivoting of the top wall panel 18 along the hinge line 26 to gain access to the contents of the carton through the top of the carton. These relieved or arcuate edges 136 and 138 will prevent the edge of the panels 112 and 114 from engaging the inner surface of the front wall panel 12 and the adjacent outer closure flaps 36 and 38, respectively, when the contents are being removed through the top opening of the assembled carton.

Referring to FIG. 8, the upper portion of the blank of FIG. 1 is shown in the lower portion of this figure. A second blank is indicated at 18' and it will be noted that the second blank, when produced, is in reversed oriented relationship to the blank 10, i.e., the flap 20 appears at the side opposite comparable flap 20'. Note, for example, the manner in which the rectangular flaps 36 and 36', respectively, form right angular notched out portions on the respective margins 124, 128 and 124' and 128 and the respective lock nose portions 76, 76 overlap. This permits a minimum wastage of material inasmuch as the lock nose portions '76, 76' of the respective blanks 10 and 10' respectively extend substantially to the margins 108' and 108, respectively, and the only material that is removed is that portion which is shaded and surrounding the lock nose portions '76 and 76 as clearly seen in FIG. 8. 7

Not only does the disclosed and described carton form an extremely tight seal at the end closure flap, but ready access may be had to these cartons through the end closure flaps or, alternatively, through the open top of the carton as just described.

Referring to FIGS. 5-7 and 9, a fragmentary portion of the carton blank is indicated generally at 280 and comprises a front wall panel 212, a bottom wall panel 214, a rear wall pane-l 216, a top wall panel 218 and a glue flap panel 220. The front wall panel 212 includes an elongated notched out portion 230 and the panels 212, 214, 216, 218 and 220 and hingedly connected on mutually parallel fold lines 222, 224, 226 and 228, respectively.

The wall panels 212218 have the lower margin thereof formed by a linear fold line 234 at right angles to the fold lines 222228. The glue flap panel 220 has an inwardly or angled margin 142 at the end shown. The 0pposite ends of the blank 200, see FIG. 9, are identical with those shown in FIG. 5. Hingedly connected on the fold line 234 to one end of the front wall panel 212 is a first inner closure flap 238 and the rear wall panel 216 has foldably connected thereto on the fold line 234 a second outer closure flap 266. The closure flaps 238 and 266, respectively, include a cut line 262 forming a slot receiving a lock nose portion 278 similar to that of the previously described embodiment.

The bottom wall panel and the top wall panel 214 and 218, respectively, each included modified inner closure flaps 286 and 314 which distinguish the carton of FIGS. 57 from the previously described embodiment.

The inner closure fiap 286 includes segment-a1, colinear end margins 308 and 308' terminating at end mar gins 3G6 and 306', respectively, of a tab portion 296 having an intermediate arcuate cutout portion 297. The distance A between the fold line 234 and mar-gins 308, 308 is equal to one-half the overall width of the front and rear wall panels 212 and 216. The second inner closure flap 314 includes tab portions 320 and 320' terminating in side margins 324 ad 324' intersecting an inner margin 328 parallel to the fold line 234. The distance B between the fold line 234 and margin portion 328 is also equal to one-half the overall width or height of the front and rear wall panels 212 and 216, respectively. The intersection between portions 386, 308 and 306, 308' as well as the intersection between line 328 and margins 324, 324' form abutment shoulders for squaring up the carton as clearly seen in FIG. 7, for example.

The blank of FIGS is assembled as follows:

The panels 212-230 are oriented in right anglar relationship as seen in FIG. 6. The inner closure flaps 286, 314 are pivoted on the hinge line 234 toward each other and into overlying relationship to the position shown in FIG. 7 wherein the margins 308, 328, 308' are in colinear relationship as seen in FIG. 7. When the inner closure flaps are in this oriented relationship, the outer margins thereof abut the fold lines of the panels 238, 266 and when the panels 238 and 266 are engaged or in locked relationship at the cut 262 and lock nose portion 278, the outer edges of the flaps 286 and 314 will sealingly engage the folding welts or fold lines of the outer closure flaps. The flaps 238 and 266 may be readily disengaged to gain access to the contents of the canton through the end closure assemblies thereof. By pulling upwardly on the tab portions 320, 320 or tab portion 296, an outward pulling of these tab portions will result in both of the tabs being raised sirnultaneouly. Inasmuch as the tab portions are readily accessible, the person opening this carton, just as in the previously described embodiment, will not have to dig his fingers into the ice cream and thus relatively little contact with the contents in the carton will occur during the opening of the end closure.

Considering FIG. 9, the lowermost blank as indicated at 200, and in order to simplify the description of the layout, the end closure flaps of the blank have applied thereto reference characters similar to those used in the blank of FIG. 1 having the prefix 200 before the reference numerals. The end closure flaps are identical with those described in FIG. 5, however, these end closure flaps appear at the upper end of the blank 200. The upper blank is indicated at 200 and this blank is reversed, i.e., the glue tab will appear at the left-hand thereof, the glue panel will be disposed at the left-hand portion thereof, although this portion has been removed in this figure. Note for example, the flap 236' is at the right-hand portion of this figure and extends partially into closure flap 312, while flap 284' has lock nose portion 276 extending partially therein, lock nose portion 276' extends partially into flap 284, and closure flap 236 is formed partially from flap 312. Those portions indicated by shading will be that paperboard material which is removed.

In both of the embodiments, by utilizing relatively short inner closure flaps which do not extend the full height of the assembled cartons, it is possible to material ly reduce the amount of paperboard material used to produce the blank from which the cartons are formed.

Additionally, in each of the embodiments, the outer margins of the inner closure flaps extend along the fold lines of the outer closure flaps to provide a good sealing relationship with respect to fold welts thereat. Still further, the manner in which the inner closure flaps overlap and interlock provides a tortuous path to prevent the escape of the relatively viscous ice cream. Still further, in each of the embodiments the overlapped relationship of the inner closure flaps will permit a person desiring access to the end closure assembly of the carton to lift on one of the tabs on the inner closure flaps and thus raise the other one to facilitate immediate access to the contents of the carton.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and therefore the invention is not limited to what is shown in the drawings and described in the specification but only as indicated in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A one-piece carton blank comprising in order rectangular front, bottom, rear, top and glue-flap panels connected on mutually parallel fold lines, each of said front, bottom, rear and top panels having a closure flap connected to opposite ends thereof on mutually parallel end margin fold lines, said bottom and top panel closure flaps each including a single abutment shoulder having a tab portion extending there'beyond, the combined distance of said abutment shoulders from said end margin fold lines being equal to the width of said front and rear pane s, said front and rear panel closure flaps including cooperating mechanical interlock portions forming a mechanical interlock, said top panel closure flap including a relieved side edge margin extending away from said glue-flap panel, said bottom and top panel closure flaps each including a substantially stepped margin having one edge colinear with said abutment shoulders, one of said bottom and top panel closure flaps having a relieved edge extending away from said abutment shoulder and said one edge thereof to facilitate the locking and unlocking of said bottom and top closure flaps when said blank is assembled and erected.

2. The structure of claim 1 in which said mechanical interlock includes a transverse intermediate slot flanked by segmented fold lines in one of said front and rear panel closure flaps and said other closure flap of said front and rear panel closure flaps includes a lock nose portion.

3. In a carton comprising rectangularly related front, bottom, rear and top wall panels, an end closure assembly comprising first and second inner closure flaps connected on mutually parallel fold lines to said top and bottom wall panels, said inner closure flaps each including a single, mutually engaged abutment shoulder and spaced a combined distance equal to the width of said front and rear wall panels, each of said inner closure flaps including a finger-engageable ta'b portion projecting beyond said abutment shoulders thereof and overlying the outer surface of the other of said inner closure flaps, said front and rear wall panels including outer closure flaps connected on mutually parallel fold lines and overlying said inner closure flaps, said outer closure flaps including mechanical interlock means detachably retaining said outer closure flaps together, the end margins of said inner closure flaps being substantially stepped in reverse relationship and at least one of said inner closure flaps includinga relieved edge extending away from said abutment shoulder, said top Wall panel being detachably connected to the outer surface of said front wall panel, said top wall panel inner closure flap including a free margin relieved inwardly from said front wall panel to permit the top wall panel to pivot to an open condition at the upper edge of said rear wall panel.

4. The structure of claim 3 in which said mechanical interlock means comprises a slot and lock nose on said outer closure flaps.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,735,682 ll/29 Hess 229-39 X 1,869,742 8/ 32 Edmunds 22939 2,569,335 9/51 Phillips 229-39 2,760,712 8/56 =Kuohenbecker 22951 2,844,297 7/58 Holmes 2295l X 2,948,456 8/ Grisetti et al. 229-39 JOSEPH R. LECLAIR, Primary Examiner.

FRANKLIN T. GARRETT, Examiner. 

1. A ONE-PIECE CARTON BLANK COMPRISING IN ORDER RECTANGULAR FRONT, BOTTOM, REAR, TOP AND GLUE-FLAP PANEL CONNECTED ON MUTUALLY PARALLEL FOLD LINES, EACH OF SAID FRONT, BOTTOM, REAR AND TOP PANEL HAVING A CLOSURE FLAP CONNECTED TO OPPOSITE ENDS THEREOF ON MUTUALLY PARALLEL END MARGIN FOLD LINES, SAID BOTTOM AND TOP PANEL CLOSURE FLAPS EACH INCLUDING A SINGLE ABUTMENT SHOULDER HAVING A TAB PORITON EXTENDING THEREBEYOND, THE COMBINED DISTANCE OF SAID ABUTMENT SHOULDERS FROM SAID END MARGIN FOLD LINES BEING EQUAL TO THE WIDTH OF SAID FRONT AND REAR PANELS, SAID FRONT AND REAR PANEL CLOSURE FLAPS INCLUDING COOPERATING MECHANICAL INTERLOCK PORTIONS FORMING A MECHANICAL INTERLOCK, SAID TOP PANEL CLOSURE FLAP INCLUDING A RELIEVED SIDE EDGE MARGIN EXTENDING AWAY FROM SAID GLUE-FLAP PANEL, SAID BOTTOM AND TOP PANEL CLOSURE FLAPS EACH INCLUDING A SUBSTANTIALLY STEPPED MARGIN HAVING ONE EDGE COLINEAR WITH SAID ABUTMENT SHOULDERS, ONE OF SAID BOTTOM AND TOP PANEL CLOSURE FLAPS HAVING A RELIEVED EDGE EXTENDING AWAY FROM SAID ABUTMENT SHOULDER AND SAID ONE EDGE BOTTOM AND TOP CLOSURE FLAPS WHEN SAID BLANK IS ASSEMBLED AND ERECTED. 